Chap. a . An Expofition upon the Book of J o s. Verf.ro. have it alwayes in order and ready for every good word and worke. He would alwayes be in apraying frame : and he a6lually prayeth in time of profpericy, as well as in time of adverfity, in timeof peace, as well as in time of trouble, when all is well with him, as well as when he is at the worff. lintel's our fpirit be for prayer at all times, we make God our refuge only, not our choyce, and are as they who would make ufe of a friend, but care not at all toenjoy him. And will God hear fuch , when he fees he fhould never hear of them, unleffe compelled to ask by ne- ce{lity. It is true, That God hears his people in many cafes be- fore they cry, he prevents prayer, yet 'cis as true, God hears not any, unleffe they pray alwayes, unleffe they pray continually. And he that did ever pray. (I do not fay, he that ever faid a prayer, or madea prayer, but he that did everpray indeed) and bathcryed Abba Father though but once, thorough the Spirit of Adoptran, That man cannot but (in the fence explained) be al- wayes praying. Secondly, From the words confidered in themfelves, note ; It is oar duty to callupon Godalwayes. The text implies this clearly, other texts fpeak it plainly. The Lord givesa Parable ( Luke 18.) and this is the fcope of it, ( v, z.) Ha fpaae a Parableunto them, to this end, that menought alwayes to pray, and not tofaint. The Apoflolical rules are, Pray alwayes,wttball prayer and fupplication in thefpirit. (Eph.6.i S.) Praywithout ceafing, (z Theff.5. 17.) There are many urgent groundswhy prayer muff be continued. Firfl, We cannot fubfifl a minute without the affiflanceof sod ; for in him we live and move, and have our being, (Ac`ts 17. e8.) And as we have our life, motion, and being,fo the comforts of our life, the guidance ofour motions, and oar welt-being from him. Therefore we muff alwayes pray, bath ro acknowledge our dependance, and to receive afliflance from him. Secondly, We are continually befieged with evils and temp- tations, we have enemies about us, either vifible or invifible, feen or unfeen, thereto, we have need topray continually. If we haci enemies alwaye= in fight we mould pray alwayes, we have unfeene enemies alwayea about ns, and theft are the moil dange- rous enemies, therefore we have more need alwayes to pray, and call in the aide og God againfl them. Thirdly, III
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